Fall From Pride

"In your pride, you claim 'I am a god! I sit on a divine throne in the heart of the sea.' But you are only a man and not a god." (Ezekiel 28:2)

Much of people's woundedness can be traced to a "fall from pride." In the aftermath of losses, traumas, or illness, lessons emerge. The previous successes, prosperity, or advancement they had enjoyed blinded them to essential issues in life. Now, with their perception jolted, they can take a close look.

I'm reminded of a millionaire/company CEO who burst into tears while we were conversing in a coffee shop. He lost everything - his company, his wife, and his children. He did learn painful lessons about himself. He admitted having fallen into pride and complacency, assuming that he was secure behind a barrier of economic prosperity, business connection, and social status.

In a way, pain can be a healing agent. It acts to cleanse pride out of our system which places faith in one's self. The pain, problems, or traumas with all their horrific consequences can bring us to a realization of how powerless we are by relying on our own strength. For that man I mentioned, the crisis revealed weaknesses that were hidden behind his pride and self-reliance.

We all have weaknesses that God may choose to expose through pain. He reveals our pride so that we may learn to become humble and obedient to His will.

" 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time." (1 Peter 5b-6)